McDonald questions India's aggression toward Konstas
Things heat up in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
There is no guarantee Jasprit Bumrah will bowl in Australia’s second innings, but all eyes will be on the Indians when Sam Konstas bats.
Tensions between both sides have risen significantly with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the line in the last Test and Australian coach, Andrew McDonald, has made it clear they are not impressed with India’s targeting of young batter.
Virat Kohli, who was fined in Melbourne for making physical contact with the 19-year-old, ran from slips and was one of three Indians, including bowler Jasprit Bumrah, to celebrate the dismissal of Usman Khawaja in the teenager’s face at the close of play on day one.
The footage of Kohli’s beeline is not a great look for the veteran. Konstas, however, has not taken a backward step since making his debut at the MCG and has been involved in a number of verbal exchanges with the opposition.
He ramped Bumrah in the first match on his way to a remarkable half-century and advanced down the pitch to hit a boundary off his first in Sydney, before being dismissed for 23.
McDonald was asked if he had spoken the youngster after he clashed with Bumrah before the Khawaja dismissal.
“My conversation to him was just around whether he’s OK. Clearly the way that India celebrated that, it was quite intimidating,” McDonald said after play on day two,” he said after play.
“It’s clearly within the laws of the game, within the rules and regulations, so there’s been no charges laid.
“But to have an opposition obviously swarm the non-striker like that, we’ve got a duty of care to our player to make sure he’s OK and in a headspace to go out the next day and perform, so that’s all those conversations were.
“It’s clear that it’s acceptable because there was no fines or punishments. I’ll leave that up to the ICC and obviously Andy Pycroft being the match referee and the umpires out there.
“If they thought that it was satisfactory then I suppose that’s the benchmark we’re playing amongst.”
Bumrah left the field for scans during the second day’s play with the Indian camp saying he is suffering from back spasms.
He has bought it on himself. Just hope he can back it up in the second dig. And moving forward learn from his mistakes. If AB says he is cocky then he is cocky.
Got to disagree with the sentiment here. If I’m Ronnie I’m backing him publicly at every point, while in private having a quiet chat about knowing your limitations. Same if I’m India with some of their young stars who are a bit rough around the edges.